You snooze you lose?
You can even be asked to spell five-letter words forward and then backward.
There's a possibility that you might be asked to show how to brush your teeth.
During the test, you might be asked to subtract a certain number from a high number and continue subtracting the same number from that answer.
You might also be asked about the relation between several objects or explain the meaning of a proverb or a common saying.
You might also be asked to perform a simple task that includes a body part and an understanding of right and left.
There's a chance that you'll need to name objects and read, write, and repeat phrases.
Then you might also be asked to describe an event from the distant past.
You might even need to recall objects you were shown or sounds you heard moments before.
During a test, it's common to be asked to remember a short list of items.
You'll most likely be asked about the current date, your location, and even your name.
You don't need to prepare for any of the cognitive tests, and there are no risks to taking them. If you’d like, you can always bring a friend or relative to keep you company.
Although there are many different screening tests, each test checks one or more of the following information.
There are many different cognitive tests available, and your provider will pick the most relevant to you, depending on your situation. The most common tests include the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the mini-mental state exam (MMSE), and the mini-cog.
You might also listen to a situation and be asked what you'd do. For example, "If you saw an injured person, what would you do?"
Sources: (Cleveland Clinic) (Everyday Health) (Verywell Health)
See also: Lifestyle changes you can make to help prevent dementia
Testing your short-term memory, you'll need to describe an event that happened in the past day or two.
Symptoms can include becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious.
As a result from changes in the ability to hold or follow a conversation, a person living with Alzheimer's or other dementia may withdraw from hobbies, social activities, or other engagements.
Some people may experience vision changes, which can lead to difficulty with balance or trouble reading.
Individuals living with dementia may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money or pay less attention to grooming or cleaning.
This could present itself in the inability to follow a familiar recipe or difficulty keeping track of monthly bills.
People living with Alzheimer's or dementia can lose track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time. They might even forget who they are.
Cognition is your brain’s ability to process all the information it takes in from your senses. Cognition involves intellectual activities, including thinking, reasoning, remembering, and understanding and using language.
A cognitive test checks for problems with your mental function, meaning how your brain processes thoughts. The test is also called a cognitive screening test or cognitive assessment.
Cognitive tests are usually done if there's a suspicion of mental decline or impairment. It may have been noticed by yourself, a close friend, or a family member.
This can include forgetting recently learned information like important dates or events and asking the same questions repeatedly.
You can also be asked to draw a clock with its hands pointing to a specific time or draw a house.
A common sign includes not remembering how to drive to a familiar location, inability to organize a grocery list, or forgetting the rules of a favorite game.
This can include having trouble following or joining a conversation, stopping in the middle of a conversation, and having no idea how to continue.
Another highly frustrating sign: this involves putting things in unusual places or losing items without being able to find them again.
Ever since President Joe Biden's June 2024 debate with Donald Trump, many people have wondered if his slow responses and difficulty staying on topic might indicate cognitive decline. Experts say it can be hard to distinguish cognitive decline from normal slowing due to aging. However, neurologists and psychologists can help determine this through in-person assessments based on questions and lab tests. While it might be nothing to worry about, it may be a treatable condition such as an infection, or it could be early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Click on for everything you need to know about getting a cognitive assessment and the signs that you should get one.
Signs that you need a cognitive assessment
Here's everything you need to know about getting a cognitive assessment
HEALTH Medical tests
Ever since President Joe Biden's June 2024 debate with Donald Trump, many people have wondered if his slow responses and difficulty staying on topic might indicate cognitive decline. Experts say it can be hard to distinguish cognitive decline from normal slowing due to aging. However, neurologists and psychologists can help determine this through in-person assessments based on questions and lab tests. While it might be nothing to worry about, it may be a treatable condition such as an infection, or it could be early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Click on for everything you need to know about getting a cognitive assessment and the signs that you should get one.